Finally we have concrete scientific proof from the New York Times science section that natural and green families are just being hysterical when they become concerned about things like hot dogs, Bisphenol A (BPA), plastic bags, the melting polar ice caps, and non-local food. All of these things are completely safe and have little environmental impact. Ugh…this article is ridiculous. It basically pokes fun at all these VALID concerns by likening them to the concern that you might be sucked into a wormhole. I really can’t believe they posted this drivel under Science!
Hot dogs – Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time probably knows I think hot dogs are the lowest form of crap there is. Why? Hot dogs are packaged with a preservative called sodium nitrite. In the 1970s the US government decided that sodium nitrite was not safe since many studies had shown a disturbing link to cancer. The government moved to ban it from all foods available on the market but lobbyists hired by food companies stepped in and played hardball….they won and sodium nitrite is served up to us regularly in deli meats, hot dogs, and bacon. These products are often linked to colon cancer. I was a big time bacon eater for years…many meals consisted only of bacon, and I ended up with colon cancer…coincidence?
The author Tierney also claims that the grilling-creates-carcinogens belief is also bunk. I believe this to be false also. Grilling changes the cellular structure of foods and according to the The National Institute of Health, Dept. of Health and Human Services, grilling does in fact create cancer causing chemicals. Just another reason to go raw.
Local Foods – Tierney claims that eating local is no better than eating foods shipped over long distances…cause one study said so. This study analyzes imported lamb and sheep farming from an area with good conditions for raising sheep to an area where this type of farming has some disadvantages…not kiwi…the fruit the author mentions. So this one study about lamb products nullifies common sense? Local foods that do not have to travel far to your plate will mean less greenhouse emissions….this is simple math.
Plastic Bags – Tierney suggests that plastic bags are getting an unfair rep. They are in fact no worse for the environment than paper bags. This is neither here nor there to me. Where is the mention of reusable cloth bags??? Most eco conscious people who protest plastic bags are NOT using paper…they are using cloth…but I think that fact was intentionally glossed over for this article.
BPA in plastic bottles – Tierney claims that “experts” have repeatedly declared this chemical safe. Well, I think just as many “experts” have also spoken out against BPA in recent months and they weren’t funded by chemical/plastic companies. Tierney says that the dosage is what makes the poison and that BPA is not being dolled out in dosages that make it poisonous. He neglects to mention though that BPA is not only found in plastic bottles…it is also in baby formula cans, teethers, cups, plates, plastic utensils, and toys. What about the cumulative exposure? He also neglects to mention that our most vulnerable citizens (babies and children) are the ones getting these multiple doses.
And furthermore….puhlease…everyone knows that wormholes present a very REAL and iminment danger…duh! Please quit your day job Tierney. ;)
I ran across this article yesterday as well. I was just as aghast as you are. Thanks so much for this response! To me this just seems like another case of saying what the masses want to hear. “If a journalist says so, it must be true. I’m so glad I don’t have to change my lifestyle.” bla bla bla…..
THANK YOU. Christ almighty. I was so MAD when I read that the study touting BPA’s safety was funded by two giant pro-plastic industries.
Media sensatinalism: Now with 100% more talking people down off ledges (which they’ve got valid reasons to stand on anyway).
err sensationalism. I can spell. :P
Sheesh, I read that article just now and it’s so very annoying. The tone is definitely talking down, and just blows off the facts for the sake of convenience.
Glad I’ll be the one living until I’m past 100 years of age, feeling great the whole time, due to my eco-“crazy” (haha) lifestyle and High Raw All Vegan Diet!!!!! :)
WOW that article made me mad. Thanks for linking to it and writing about it — you’re much more eloquent than I would have been!
I saw that stupid article this morning and almost posted a similar rant on my blog. Thanks for taking the words out of my mouth, and posting a much more eloquent version of what I would have said! :0)
I posted a similar rant about Tierney’s article on my blog on 7/30 right after I saw his column. But I only talked about BPA . . . so I’m glad you talked about the rest. But the article just made me so mad! I’m mean really, there are a number of alternatives to polycarbonate plastic (the source of BPA), but you should go ahead and keep using polycarbonate. Despite the evidence of low level exposures causing problems in animals, and despite the fact that fetuses and infants do not have the enzyme necessary to process BPA, and despite the fact that we get exposed from our canned foods and beverages. Hmmm. . . and we were told lead in paint, DDT, PCBs and DES were all safe too. (DES and BPA were both investigated as synthetic estrogens in the 1930s).
And yes, you’re right about grilling and carcinogenic compouds, although it is believed the risk is low.
Jennifer
Smart Mamas Do It All Naturally
http://www.thesmartmama.com
What’s funny? (Not haha funny, clown funny, tragically so.) Is that some people will pay attention to the B.S. this Tierney guy writes… they will quote him and say, “oh, it can’t be bad… it was in the Times.” Gah. Go visit his blog… comments are open. http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/10-non-worries-and-counting/
Oh… and we shouldn’t worry about plastic bags? WTF? Check out this little slideshow…
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016
And for many hotdogs are a kid staple! Thanks for that great information.
Most Americans (iincluding kids!) eat way too much meat. That’s why I work for the Meatless Monday Campaign, a nonprofit public health campaign that encourages people to skip meat one day a week.
As you probably know, cutting back on meat and high-fat dairy products is not only a good way to cut calories – it’s an easy way to live a healthier life. Cutting back just 15% (or one day out of seven) is enough to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Seriously.
You can find recipe ideas, health information, and ideas on how to get your kids involved in cooking on their site (www.meatlessmonday.com), or sign up for their weekly newsletter–it comes out every (guess what?) Monday.”
And hotdogs are a kid staple!
Most Americans (iincluding kids!) eat way too much meat. That’s why I work for the Meatless Monday Campaign, a nonprofit public health campaign that encourages people to skip meat one day a week.
As you probably know, cutting back on meat and high-fat dairy products is not only a good way to cut calories – it’s an easy way to live a healthier life. Cutting back just 15% (or one day out of seven) is enough to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Seriously.
You can find recipe ideas, health information, and ideas on how to get your kids involved in cooking on their site (www.meatlessmonday.com), or sign up for their weekly newsletter–it comes out every (guess what?) Monday.”
I can’t believe lobbyists can win over the government! Very disturbing.
I think Polka Dot has it right. Many MANY people will take this article, and those like it, to mean that they can continue unthinking, wasteful behaviors. When I’m honest with myself, I admit that I’m jealous of people who can buy and throw away without a second thought. I envy people who pick stuff off the grocery shelf without looking at the ingredients. I struggle with much of my CSA produce.
So, I build in guilty pleasures. Vitamin C helps “block” nitrates. When I need a chili coney dog, I eat it with an orange. It’s compulsive, I know. Considering 21 meals a week and snacks in between, we probably only eat meat at two of those meals. See? Rationalizations. I’m good at them, but I can’t just cut loose with plastic bags, processed food, and a love affair with the trash man.
Even my rationalizations don’t lead me to these ridiculous claims – that because you use the plastic bag as a trash liner makes it eco-friendly. Did you see the frightful story about how the fewer miles we drove last year will hurt revenue for road maintenance? Clear skies initiative. You name it. We have to use our heads.